London Attraction Guide

London delights with iconic sights such as the Palace of Westminster and St Paul’s Cathedral, but there are many less well-travelled routes and attractions to explore in the British capital. We take a look at some of London’s top sights in this London attraction guide.

Get inspired for your trip to London with our guide to some of London's top attractions

London was built beside the Thames and the river remains the city’s main artery. Taking the boat is a quick way to cross the city – and certainly more pleasant than the busy trains of the London Underground. The Thames River Cruise 24 Hour Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour makes for a relaxing way to see the major landmarks that line the river banks while navigating between London destinations. The hop-on, hop-off service calls at five piers: Westminster (for the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey), London Eye, Bankside (for Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre - Summer only), Tower of London and Greenwich.

If there was only one word to describe the London Eye, it would be "iconic". Probably one of the best-recognised landmarks in the capital, the Coca-Cola London Eye offers stunning 360-degree views of London at up to 135m. The world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel, a rotation journey on the London Eye takes approximtely 30 minutes, giving visitors plenty of time to take in the sights and spot top London attractions in the distance, from Westminster Abbey to Tower Bridge and more!

One of the country's most imporant historical landmarks, Westminster Abbey has served as the coronation church of the British monarchy since the 11th Century and was the venue of Prince William & Kate Middleton's 2011 Royal Wedding. Still a working church, Westminster Abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is intrinsically linked to London's history, with hundreds of graves and memorials to historic figures such as Sir Isaac Newton and Elizabeth I.

1000 years of history comes to life at The London Dungeon - from the Plague to Jack the Ripper, Guy Fawkes and more, visitors will come face-to-face with some of London's most gruesome and infamous figures! Featuring live interactive shows, multi-sensory effects and hair-raising rides, The London Dungeon is one of the city's most popular attractions.

Playing a major role in London's history, St. Paul's Cathedral was designed by Sir Christopher Wren as part of the City's reconstruction following the Great Fire of London in 1666. From royal weddings to state funerals, surviving the Blitz and more, St. Paul's Cathedral is a breath-taking London landmark and easily one of London's most recognisable buildings.

You don’t have to be literature buff to enjoy an open-air performance at this atmospheric theatre on the banks of the River Thames. The timber-framed thatched-roofed theatre is a reconstruction of the original Globe theatre that stood on a nearby site around the turn of the 17th century. Outdoor shows run throughout the summer season between May and October and over the Christmas period – get tickets in advance on the theatre’s website. Before the show, don’t miss a visit to the theatre’s fascinating exhibition about the history of the building and its reconstruction.

You can reach HMS Belfast on your hop-on, hop-off river boat tour, by disembarking at the Tower pier and then crossing the river over Tower Bridge. This will afford you some great views as you head over to the WWII battleship. Today, HMS Belfast has retired from service so you can now explore the decks, gun turret, engine rooms and the interactive exhibition on the boat which tells the story of this historic boat and the Royal Navy sailors who crewed her.

At the far eastern end of your Thames River Cruise hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour, step off the boat at Greenwich Pier. Alongside the river, you’ll find the dock of the world’s last remaining tea clipper, the Cutty Sark. This historic sailing ship is open to tours which pass underneath the ship’s hull. Visitors can poke around on deck and below, take the ship’s wheel and explore the interactive exhibits which bring Britain’s seafaring past to life.

From the Cutty Sark, head further along the Greenwich shoreline and you can cross the grand lawns and imposing porticos of the Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum to reach Greenwich Park. This sweeping green space is cut through by the Greenwich Meridian and rises to a peak which is home to the Royal Observatory. The exhibition here offers a fascinating glimpse into the science of astronomy and the lives of some of its most influential pioneers. The trip out to Greenwich can be an hour’s boat ride from some central London locations, so why not make a day of it? If it’s sunny, pack a picnic and enjoy the lovely park around the observatory, which features tree-lined paths, a large children’s playground and a small boating lake. On less clement afternoons, wander into Greenwich village where you’ll find bustling restaurants and local boutiques to explore.

Take a journey under the waves in the heart of the city! The much-loved SEA LIFE London Aquarium is home to sharks, penguins, rays, sea turtles, jellyfish, coral reefs an more. Discover an amazing underwater world from the open-water and coastlines to reefs, rainforests and rockpools. Focused on conservation and education, SEA LIFE London Aquarium is a perfect family-friendly spot for small and big kids alike!

Another brilliant day trip from London can be enjoyed by taking the train to Richmond or Kew to explore the gardens and greenhouses at the Royal Botanic Gardens. These gardens are London’s largest UNESCO listed site and make for a wonderful day out on warm summer days, when you can enjoy a picnic and relax among the scented flower beds and exotic plants, shrubs and trees. Wandering among the steamy exotic planting of Kew’s iconic glass Palm House can brighten up even the most gloomy of winter days. Children will love the treetop walkway and the modern structure of the Hive which houses an interactive exhibition designed to highlight the plight of the honeybee.

The second sporting highlight courtesy of your London Explorer Pass is a tour of England’s home stadium, Wembley. A tour here will give you insider access to the players’ tunnel, Royal Box, press room and the England changing room – a must for any young England fans, but fascinating even if you’re not a football aficionado.

The London Explorer Pass gives you access to many of the British capital’s thrilling attractions, see the full attraction list here.

Explorer Pass Benefits

Visit 3, 5 or 7 attractions from 20 top London sights, landmarks and tours.

TOP ATTRACTIONS like The Coca-Cola London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Madame Tussauds & more.

TAKE YOUR TIME You have 30 days to use your pass.

Comments & Reviews

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It was well worth buying this as we was able to get into places at cheaper rates and get in quicker too! Just loved the city pass! I will always use it ! By Maz from Nottingham

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